Aviation Unions Disrupt Flights to and from Imo State in Protest

• Aviation unions suspend all flights to Owerri, Imo State, in response to the assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero
• Governor Hope Uzodimma is declared persona non grata at all airports

Unions in the aviation industry have instructed the suspension of all flights to Owerri, Imo State, from any airport in Nigeria. This decision comes in response to the directive issued by the Labour Union, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), following the recent assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero in Owerri.

The aviation unions, including the National Union Of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots And Engineers (NAAPE), and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), jointly released a bulletin announcing their actions.

The joint statement was signed by their General-Secretaries, including Comrades Ocheme Aba (NUATE), Frances Akinjole (ATSSSAN), Abdul Rasaq Saidu (ANAP), Umoh Ofonime (NAAPE), and General Secretary of AUPCTRE, Comrade Sikiru Waheed.

Furthermore, the unions declared Governor Hope Uzodimma persona non grata at all airports.

As a result of the strike action, all flights to and from the state will be disrupted. Currently, at least four airlines operate to Owerri Airport, including Air Peace, United Nigeria, Aero Contractors, and Dana.

Airline operators expressed concerns about the impact of the unions’ actions on the livelihoods and businesses of many people. While some airlines stated they would continue their scheduled operations while monitoring the situation, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had not issued an official statement at the time of reporting.

The aviation unions justified their actions by stating that they were responding to “the escalation of the imbroglio created by the mayhem unleashed on workers by the Imo State Government of Hope Uzodimma and continued insensitivity of the Government over the matter.” They directed all public and private aviation workers to suspend all services related to Owerri flights (arrivals and departures) from any airport in Nigeria, effective from midnight on November 8, 2023. Additionally, they instructed all aviation workers at Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, to remain at home, effective from the same date, following the directives of NLC and TUC.